Restless Surface

Restless Surface

How has wind, water and other weather shaped the Earth? And how long has it taken?

See dramatic rock and mountain formations and a giant stalagmite, and find out how they formed. Discover how stones change shape and explore interactive exhibits in the Restless Surface gallery.

Star specimens and exhibits

frozen lightning captured in desert sand
the ancient life that makes up limestone
interactive displays showing how wind and water can turn sand into waves
a tombstone sundial
minerals borne from the sea

Explore the galleries with the Museum map

Find out how to get around with the Museum map. There are four zones to discover.

Discover: the world around us

Space

How to become a space scientist

Dr Helena Bates explains what it’s like to be a researcher of meteorites, how she got into this career and shares advice for budding space experts.

Dinosaurs

Dinosaur auctions: Is it right to have fossils for sale?

Discover why the commercial fossil trade isn’t simply black and white.

Science news

Near-Earth asteroid Bennu contains a unique array of materials from the early solar system

Some of the most basic building blocks of the solar system are missing from one of its most dangerous asteroids.

Science news

Apollo Moon sample opened after 50 years contains evidence of extraterrestrial landslide

Moon rock collected on the last Apollo mission is revealing more about one of the Moon’s most unusual structures.

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